The Grizzlies' starting lineup will look different next season following their offseason that included trading Desmond Bane. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane formed one of the best starting backcourts in the NBA during the last four seasons, but contracts and modern NBA fits caused the separation.
Former Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart was the fifth starter alongside Morant, Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and then-rookie Zach Edey to begin last season. However, five games into the season, he was replaced by surprise then-rookie second-round draft pick Jaylen Wells.
Wells started 74 consecutive games last season before suffering a season-ending broken wrist injury with three games remaining in the regular season. Without Bane, the other four returning starters will be slated to return to the lineup with a question mark for the final spot.
Who will occupy the fifth spot in the regular starting five?
First, let's start by acknowledging that offseason surgeries by Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. could possibly hinder them from beginning the season as the starting frontcourt. However, they both are expected to return anywhere between the start of the season to the end of the first month.
The possible starters to replace those two players will likely be Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke (if he is cleared to play following a season-ending knee injury last season). With the frontcourt settled, the Grizzlies know their point guard will be Ja Morant. Now the questions start with where Jaylen Wells will be slotted on the wing.
Wells is expected to be the future long-term backcourt mate to Ja Morant at shooting guard, but started at small forward throughout his rookie season. His 3-and-D style meshes well with the dynamic offensive threat of Morant. However, his inevitable move to the two position will likely have to wait as the team learns its new roster.
The candidates
The Desmond Bane trade yielded a return of two players who figure to contribute to the roster this season, in wings Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and first-round draft pick Cedric Coward. Both players will be competing for the starting position on the wing with Caldwell-Pope as the favorite to begin the season.
Coward's progression throughout his rookie season will determine how long the Grizzlies wait to insert him into the lineup, if at all. Other candidates like GG Jackson and darkhorses Scotty Pippen Jr. and Vince Williams Jr. could make for a fun training camp competition of the young guys against the veteran Caldwell-Pope.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a starter for every team he's played for since the 2014-15 season, so he will likely be inserted as the fifth starter on the wing with Jaylen Wells. The Grizzlies have options for the final starter position and should make for an entertaining training camp.